African Lion 2027: Allies and partners set the stage for joint warfighting readiness

Official Statements

• U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, November 10: “VICENZA, Italy — The success of any multinational military exercise begins long before the first troops arrive at a training area. For African Lion 2027, the main planning event held in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 3-6, represents a critical step in preparing the Tunisian portion of the U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF).

  Scheduled for April 11-30, 2027, African Lion 2027 will bring together military forces from the United States, Tunisia, NATO allies and African partners to build shared objectives, strengthen enduring relationships and prepare for complex multinational training.

  The planning event helps translate four primary exercise objectives into actionable training opportunities: building combined joint readiness and interoperability among allies and partners in support of global operations and regional security; integrating innovation into activities supporting U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa campaign plans; incorporating training ranging from large-scale combat operations to crisis response; and integrating critical U.S. and partner initiatives to expand operational capabilities and training capacity in Tunisia.

  African Lion provides a venue to strengthen joint warfighting readiness by testing how multinational forces plan, communicate, sustain operations and operate together across domains. The exercise enables participating forces to rehearse realistic scenarios, improve command-and-control processes and refine the procedures needed to respond collectively to regional contingencies and common security challenges.

  Tunisia’s role as a host nation and active exercise partner provides opportunities to strengthen military-to-military ties through shared training and professional exchanges. The Tunisian portion of the exercise also serves as a bridge between North African partners and NATO allies, creating opportunities to exchange expertise, improve interoperability and develop a common understanding of multinational operations.

  Through African Lion 2027, participating nations will leverage training events to address shared security concerns while testing and delivering emerging capabilities to the joint force. The realistic hands-on training will help participating forces evaluate new tools and concepts in austere multinational environments. These efforts support a more capable, adaptable and interoperable joint force prepared to meet evolving operational demands.

  “Building on multilateral planning from the 2025 and 2026 iterations, African Lion 2027 will highlight expanded cooperation among U.S., Tunisian, Italian and Spanish forces,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corbett Baxter, SETAF-AF lead planner for African Lion. “The exercise will feature critical training opportunities spanning special operations, airborne operations, intelligence integration and emerging technologies, demonstrating how sustained multinational collaboration translates into joint warfighting readiness and stronger operational partnerships.”

  Ultimately, African Lion is about more than military readiness. It is about building lasting relationships, strengthening collective capabilities and demonstrating a shared commitment to security across North Africa. The main planning event is where that commitment takes shape, laying the foundation for stronger partnerships, improved interoperability, tested emerging capabilities and a more secure region.”